In this study the relation between design and workmanship features of masonry walls and rain watertightness of the cavity wall with blown-in or dispensed thermal insulation was analyzed. This was done in a series of laboratory tests in which cavity wall samples (1m x 1m) were subjected to a water spray rate typical of those reached in periods of driving rain and to a stepwise increase in air pressure difference across the samples. The following parameters were varied in the samples: cavity fill (no fill, PUR-foam, EPS-beads), quality and curing of exterior masonry. To allow for visual observation of water leakage paths, the interior leaf of the samples consisted of transparent perspex. Water leakage rates across the cavities were quantified for unfilled cavity wall elements. Conditions for water penetration were analyzed for insulated cavity wall elements. The paper discusses the test methodology and results, and relates the measured leakage rates and observed water ingress routes to the test variables and the properties of the insulation products.

@inproceedings{2153277,
abstract = {In this study the relation between design and workmanship features of masonry walls and rain watertightness of the cavity wall with blown-in or dispensed thermal insulation was analyzed. This was done in a series of laboratory tests in which cavity wall samples (1m x 1m) were subjected to a water spray rate typical of those reached in periods of driving rain and to a stepwise increase in air pressure difference across the samples. The following parameters were varied in the samples: cavity fill (no fill, PUR-foam, EPS-beads), quality and curing of exterior masonry. To allow for visual observation of water leakage paths, the interior leaf of the samples consisted of transparent perspex. Water leakage rates across the cavities were quantified for unfilled cavity wall elements. Conditions for water penetration were analyzed for insulated cavity wall elements. The paper discusses the test methodology and results, and relates the measured leakage rates and observed water ingress routes to the test variables and the properties of the insulation products.},
author = {Janssens, Arnold and Moers, Hendrik and Van Den Bossche, Nathan},
booktitle = {5th International Building Physics Conference, Proceedings},
keyword = {cavity wall insulation,retrofit,water tightness,masonry,testing},
language = {eng},
location = {Kyoto, Japan},
pages = {433--439},
title = {Water penetration testing of cavity wall insulation fills},
year = {2012},
}